Morning Chirps: Exciting new line for Anton Frondell, new CBA rules getting fast tracked

Tuesday was a busy day for Chicago Blackhawks news! We learned exactly when the prospects will play next weekend, a top draft pick will get an exciting line overseas, and the center-ice faceoff circle at the United Center has undergone a makeover. Enjoy your Hump Day Chirps!

Blackhawks Chirps

• Signing Wyatt Kaiser is the last order of business for the Blackhawks this offseason. I looked into what exactly is holding up a new deal from getting done.

• Consistency at center will be key to Connor Bedard’s success this season. Jim Lynch wrote that consistency starts with the coaching staff in training camp.

• The Blackhawks will head to St. Paul next weekend for the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase. They will play the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 6 pm., and the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 3 pm. Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic posted the Blues’ roster for the showcase.

• While his colleague, Michael Russo, revealed the roster for the Wild. The Blackhawks have not released their roster yet.

• Anton Frondell will not be at the Kurvers Showcase, as his Swedish Hockey League season starts on Sept. 13. However, Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects says the third overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft says he could start the season on an exciting line.

• The United Center is getting ready for hockey, and center ice will have a new logo for the Centennial Celebration!

• On this date in 1987, the Blackhawks traded Eddie Olczyk and Al Secord to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Rick Vaive, Steve Thomas, and Bob McGill. Vaive scored 43 goals and 69 points during the 1987-88 season. He had another 12 before he traded to the Buffalo Sabres during the following season for Adam Creighton. Thomas scored 104 goals over four-plus seasons in Chicago before he and Creighton were traded to the New York Islanders for Brent Sutter and Brad Lauer. McGill played 281 games for the Blackhawks before the San Jose Sharks took him in the 1991 NHL Expansion Draft.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 3: George Grigor, Doug Bentley, Rob Conn, Cristobal Huet, and Michal Rozsival.

NHL Chirps

Greg Wyshynski of ESPN reported on the CBA changes that are being fast-tracked for this season. The playoff salary cap rule will be in effect starting this season. Other changes that will begin right away include long-term injured reserve (LTIR) rules, outlawing deferred compensation in player contracts, relaxation of the dress codes, the ability for players to endorse wine and spirits, and the prohibition of double salary retention in trades.

Jonathan Toews took to the ice for the first time in his Winnipeg Jets gear and was a shock to the system.

• Brian Germinaro of Eyes on Isles has all the details of the Islanders signing 2025 second-round pick Daniil Prokhorov to his entry-level deal.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Sept. 3: Gary Jarrett, Gerry Meehan, Brian Spencer, Ron Delorme, Martin Straka, Martin Gerber, Jed Ortmeyer, James Neal, and Erik Portillo.